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Craig Steele, owner of Predator Exclusives Guide Service and publisher at ORGhunt.com.

After answering an email this morning and answering these questions almost every time we take someone on a guided predator hunt, the juices started flowing…

So how do you call coyotes and predators more consistently?

First, the odds are STACKED against you when you head out to call coyotes, which is probably what most of us forget. We are the ones going into this creatures house with the expectations of them running to our calls like water flowing from a faucet. Occasionally, we hit those home run double digit days, but realistically it doesn’t happen very often, especially when you are doing things wrong.

Occasional and instant success in predator calling can lead to you becoming an average predator hunter, if you let it!!!

A first time caller can go buy a FoxPro Electronic call, hop out of the truck (slam the door) and push PLAY. A big male coyote comes charging in and bam you are a successful predator hunter. With this instant success some hunters will believe they have it all figured out, but eventually they will hit a wall, aka “the dry spell.” When you hit the dry spell, you often want to call into question the “sounds or call you are using”. Some guys will even quit calling because they refuse to dig deep and learn more. I don’t know how many times I have heard this one and it makes my stomach churn:

“Maybe they just aren’t coming into electronic calls anymore because everyone is using them???”

In my opinion, you should re-evaluate your stand/set-ups before you basically say that ALL the coyotes have learned to identify electronic calls. I generally use 4-5 sounds which I have confidence in for calling coyotes. I spend very little time questioning my sounds and most of my time evaluating where and how I can call coyotes in a natural setting.

In 2005, Craig & Bob Steele with 2nd day coyotes taken while hunting a 150 team predator hunt. The pair finished with the most coyotes over a 1.5 day hunt.

The reality…

Calling coyotes consistently is a GRIND!

You have to put in your time and you have to be willing to eat humble pie. You have to be willing to learn from others and be honest about the facts. Some of the best predator hunters I know are guys who have been doing it for decades, but they have developed tactics that work, because they have put in the time.

EVERYONE goes through dry spells (even me), but having the mindset and knowledge to grind it out is what will make you better than average. This is the ONLY thing that separates those who consistently do well in hunting and those who don’t.

I currently approach every coyote calling stand based on the principles below:

If I had to simplify why coyotes come to a call, it would be these 3 reasons:

Territory

Hunger

Curiosity

I believe there are generally 4 things you must have in place in order to capitalize on these above reasons.

Animals (Predators) have to be present to call.

The setup/stand must be as natural as possible; therefor allowing them to respond naturally.

Weather must allow for them to respond.

Sounds must be authentic.

A few coyote calling tips that MAY help you be more consistent:

Scout!!! Yes, I know you don’t have time to scout, but guess what, the coyotes don’t care about your excuses.